King Abdullah accepts Chirac's invitation to visit France

A Western diplomatic source in Amman said on Tuesday that French President Jacques Chirac had extended an invitation to the new Jordanian King Abdullah Bin al-Hussein to visit France, and the King has accepted the invitation.

The same source explained that Chirac reminded King Abdullah that his "father the late King was engaged in a state's visit to France, and asked him (King Abdullah) to come to France at the proper time," in the second half of 1999.

King Hussein intended to visit France in July 1998 but he went on July 14 to the Mayo Clinic hospital for treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The French president asserted that he was surprised following the death of King Hussein by "the good performance and administration of the Jordanian establishments."

He added that France will provide Jordan with "political and economic support based on permanent relations and consultation in issues in the region."